June 2 8, 1928
16
MUSICAL COURIER
SAN JOSE BUSIES ITSELF WITH
WELL DEVELOPED GROUP-SINGING
A Cappella Choir Leads Van for Quality and Finish—Notable Demonstrations by College Chorus, Richards Club and Elks’ Concert Orchestra—Spring Festival Offers Three Excellent Concerts
T1IE A CAPPELLA CHOIR OF THE COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC,
C. M. Dennis, director.
the evident enjoyment of the singers adds much to the success of the work.
Elks Turn Instrumentalists.
The Elks’ Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Charles M. Richards, gave an interesting program before a capacity audience at the State Teachers’ College. Miles Dresskell, violinist from the College of the Pacific, was the soloist. A program which included the Flower Suite, bv Henry Hadley, was thoroughly enjoyed.
Male Chorus Sings Under Dr. Richards.
The Richards Club, another organization directed by Dr. Richards and composed of male voices, gave its third annual concert at the Teachers’ College assisted by the Anon Trio. _ The club numbers among its membership some splendid voices, the bass section being especially fine. The varied program pleased a large aggregation.
Notes.
The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh senior recitals, completing the series given at the College of the Pacific, presented Jean Madsen, pianist and mezzo-soprano; Agnes Ward, violinist; De Marcus Brown, reader; Russell Bod-ley, pianist; Marie Brown, soprano; Flora Vest, pianist, and Helen Barber, pianist, in programs of fine calibre. All the recitals proved the performers well equipped for their professional work.
The Holy City, by Gaul, was given by the choir of sixty-five voices at Trinity Episcopal Church, under the direction of Le Roy Brant, organist and choirmaster. Choruses and ensemble numbers were well sung and the soloists acquitted themselves admirably.
The Santa Clara County Branch of the State Music Teachers’ Association is busy completing preparations for the annual convention of the State Association. The convention is to begin with a banquet July 4. Programs, round tables, business sessions and social affairs will occupy the time of the delegates until July 7.	CD
San Jose, Cal., June IS.—The College of the Pacific choral forces gave an excellent performance of Haydn’s Creation as the first concert of the Spring Festival. The chorus and orchestra of 125 members, under the direction of C. M. Dennis, was assisted by Marion Brower, soprano; Chester Herold, tenor, and W. E. Johnson, bass. Allan Bacon at the organ and Eleanor Short at the piano contributed to the success of the performance. From the standpoint of quality of soloists, accuracy of choral work and good ensemble the performance represented the best work yet done by the college forces. The second event of the festival was a song recital by Jessie Christian', soprano, assisted by Gavin Williamson, pianist. Miss Christian has a soprano voice of beautiful quality, wide range and great flexibility. The program was well balanced and a large audience thoroughly enjoyed her work. An evening of American music completed the festival. Works by representative American composers were given splendid interpretations by Allan Bacon, organist; Nella Rogers, contralto (with Jules Moullet at the piano) ; Miriam Burton, pianist, and the Conservatory String Quartet, with Bozena Kalas, pianist. Compositions by Foote, Carpenter, Sowerby, Brockway and several others gave much pleasure to a large audience.
The A Cappella Choir Enjoyed in a Notable Concert.
Concerts by various ensemble organizations have added much interest to the musical life of the past month. The A Cappella Choir of the College of the Pacific, under the direction of C. M. Dennis, gave its sixth annual concert in the College Auditorium, presenting an entire program of unaccompanied choral music. Four numbers by Palestrina, a group of numbers from the Russian liturgy, four folksong arrangements and a group of modern part songs were listed. Agnes Ward, violinist of the class of 1923, was the assisting soloist. The choir shows a splendid advance in the degree of finish. The tone quality is fresh and youthful and
Ebba Nyberg, Edith Huffman, Irene Bodner, Josephine Sapellq Helen O’Leary, Minnie Linn, Dorothy Polakevitch, and Alice Nelson. Maestro Caselotti accompanied his many pupils with that finish and musicianship for which he is known.
Bach Choir Invited to Havana
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Pa., and its conductor, Dr J. Fred Wolle, have been invited to spend a week in Havana next season and to sing three times during that period.
Mgt. Universal Concert Bureau, Inc.
The American Contralto with International Fame
CAHIER
“I take great pleasure in stating that I consider Mine. Cahier one of the greatest singers of our day. Her voice, her deep understanding, her thorough musicianship, are equally beautiful and impressive. It has always been a great pleasure and an inspiration to me to work with her. I hope, in fact, I don’t doubt, that her success in this country will be just as splendid as it has always been in Europe.”
Arthur Bodanzky, Metropolitan Opera Co.,
New York City.
BALDWIN PIANO USED
17 East 42d Street, New York City
Open Air Opera in Baltimore
Baltimore, Md., June 16.—The second week of open air grand opera has been more successful than the first. Four operas were offered—Carmen, Manon, Aida and The Barber of Seville. The first two were repeated during; the latter part of the week. There were several high lights during the week notably the performance of Armand Tokatyan in Manon and Richard Bonelli as Figaro in The Barber. Both of these young artists have shown remarkable versatility and Tokatyan’s departure for a two months’ engagement at Ravinia Park, 111., is greatly regretted. Thalia Sabaneyeva, who appeared in the title role in Manon and again in the Barber, has also left for Ravinia Park.
Louise Hunter made ber debut in Manon during the week. •Her performance created a sensation. She is unquestionably among the youngest who have ever attempted the part. She repeated her succss also as Micaela in Carmen. Edith De Lys sang the title role in Carmen and Aida, scoring triumphs in both. Alfredo Gondalfi gave his usual intelligent interpretations of the baritone roles in Manon and Carmen.
The third week’s program includes Boheme, Gavalleria, Pagliacci, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Samson and Delilah and Rigoletto.	E. D.
Caselotti Closes Season With Costume Recital
G. H. Caselotti, New York and Bridgeport (Conn.) vocal teacher, closed the season with a brilliant students’ recital at the High School auditorium, Bridgeport, on June 9 before an audience of over 1000.
The concert was given in a novel form with theatrical effects, scenery, costumes, light effects, spot light, etc. All pupils acted their parts while singing, which proved a decided success, and was voted by all present as the best ever given in Bridgeport. Without exception, the pupils did better than ever before, this undoubtedly being due to the freedom gained by this innovation.
The participants were: Josephine Patuzzi, Eva Hodgkins, Percy Boat, Mildred Hill, Catherine Waterbury, Helen Hail, Lillian Boat, Elsie Pollard, Gilda Fuse, Helen Desmarais,
A NOVELTY!
A Musical Journey for Old and Young
WITH
DORA
de PHILLIPPE
Soprano
(Six Seasons with the Chicago Opera Association)
A COSTUME PROGRAM OF SONGS
From
RUSSIA OLD FRANCE GERMANY ENGLAND AMERICA
Management:
LOUDON CHARLTON Carnegie Hall New York
KRANICH & BACH PIANO